Totally internally reflected ray

[aurao2003]

Homework Statement

The diagram shows a cube of glass. A ray of light, incident at the centre of a face of the cube, at an
angle of incidence θ, goes on to meet another face at an angle of incidence of 50°, as shown
in Figure 3.
critical angle at the glass-air boundary = 45°
Figure 3
(a) Draw on the diagram the continuation of the path of the ray, showing it passing through the glass
and out into the air.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that thw wave will be internally reflected. But I am not sure of the angle at which it will emerge from the glass to air boundary. Please advise.

 

[ehild]

Show the picture, please.

ehild

 

[aurao2003]

Sorry. Not sure how to do it.

 

[ehild]

The solution depends on the plane of incidence. What is it?
To load a picture, go to "Go Advanced" then "Manage Attachments".

ehild

 

[rwisz]

As a scientist, it is important to understand the principles of refraction and total internal reflection in order to accurately predict the path of the light ray in this scenario. The critical angle at the glass-air boundary is the angle at which the light ray will experience total internal reflection, meaning that it will be reflected back into the glass instead of continuing through to the air.

In this case, the angle of incidence at the second face of the cube is 50°, which is greater than the critical angle of 45°. This means that the light ray will undergo total internal reflection and continue to bounce around inside the glass cube until it eventually emerges from another face at an angle of incidence equal to 50°. This is shown in the diagram below:

[Diagram showing the path of the light ray bouncing around inside the cube until it emerges from another face at an angle of incidence of 50°]

It is important to note that the exact path of the light ray may vary depending on the specific dimensions and angles of the glass cube. However, the principles of refraction and total internal reflection remain the same.